Most important phase of rebuild for new Chicago Bears has arrived

Sunday

Mar 11, 2018 at 7:42 PMMar 11, 2018 at 10:30 PM

Jay Taft Staff writer @jaytaft

LAKE FOREST — The clock is ticking on fourth-year Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace, who has spent a lot of time and effort in putting the right people around him as he tries to rebuild the team — again.

And it's getting louder. Tick-tock, tick-tock, Mr. Pace.

The difference this time is that he’s on an island — to use an NFL term — as he can no longer lay blame on his putrid record and the poor performances on the field to John Fox.

Pace and his new young-gun head coach Matt Nagy are in charge, and Pace had best be feeling the pressure of someone who desperately needs to get results.

Tick-tock, Mr. Pace.

It all really starts this week in free agency.

“There have been a couple of big hits,” Pace said of his free agent history. “But there have also been some misses.”

Can they win now?

Some, like third-year running back Jordan Howard, believe it can be a quick fix. Howard recently guaranteed a playoff spot next season for the Bears.

Others, like Howard’s new boss, know that it’s a process, and the Bears are merely in Phase One.

“The message we're going to send loud and clear to our guys is that let's take this step by step — let's not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Nagy said, in reference to Howard’s prediction. “Let's understand the process. And let's do it through our actions, not through our words.”

Step by step

Evaluating the up-and-coming stars at last week’s NFL Combine was the first step of many. The next phase (the free agency signing period) may just be the most important for Pace, but there will be a lot left to do after that before these Bears are ready for training in late July.

“The combine is just another step in the process,” Pace said this past weekend from Indianapolis. “But hey, from here we're in a good position. We have a lot of cap space; we have a high pick in the draft; we have seven draft picks; we feel like we have a coaching staff we're excited about; we have a quarterback that we want to build around. Now we want to make the right decisions the next few months.”

Huge free agency period

The importance of a good free agency class for the Bears this year can not be overstated. It could be what makes or breaks Pace.

Free agency will kick in Wednesday, and the Bears project to have as much as $80 million in available cap space after cutting players.

“We know where we’re at,” Pace said. “We know how important this is.”

Last year’s free-agent class, which included some names who have just recently been jettisoned from the roster, was a potpourri of bad: QBs Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez; wide receivers Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton; defensive backs Marcus Cooper and Quintin Demps. They came in pairs; and they did nothing but cash big paychecks, and take up snaps that could’ve gone to younger players — players that may still be on the roster when the Bears are once again good.

And Nagy is sure ready for his own team. “We’re going to create,” Nagy said, “our own identity.”

Things are unfolding nicely for Bears draft

The Bears draft at No. 8, and three quarterbacks could come off the board before then, which bodes well for Chicago that doesn't need a QB.

Just back from last week’s combine, Pace, Nagy, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the rest of the key cogs for the Bears’ staff should have at least a good idea of who they need to target in the upcoming draft.

And in free agency.

Begin the rescue at WR

The only wide receiver set to hit the free-agent market who deserves to be a No. 1 on most teams is Sammy Watkins. (However, there are about five or six that could take over that spot on the Bears.) While he hasn’t been of late, and most certainly was not last year for the Rams, his speed and skillset tell me he can be again some day be a leader.

He had eight touchdown catches last season, but he caught just 39 balls for 539 yards. But he had 1,047 yards and nine TD catches in just 13 games in 2015.

They may have to pay him $15 million a year to do it, and he's definitely the best of what's out there. The Bears should place a big target on Watkins' back right now.

Wide receiver Cameron Meredith, working his way back from a torn ACL and a partial tear of the MCL in his left knee, has returned to Halas Hall for his rehabilitation. Kevin White insists he’s working out feverishly to be ready for next year. And Josh Bellamy, who should receive a low-level tender, is the only other receiver on last year’s roster worth bringing back.

It’s no mystery that wideout is where the Bears need the most help.

That rescue begins next week.

While it's only Phase One, it could set the tone for all the rest.

And Pace should know, the clock is ticking, and there is no time left for misses.